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Monday, 5 January 2015

Amongst other small gifts, I also gave my kids tooth decay for Xmas
5 January 2015

Christmas stocking fillers.They can be problematic.Fun, yet
one has to put a bit of thought into it.

Generally we give our kids one big present for Xmas.Something super special, and perhaps a bit
pricey.A real Xmas present gift.Maybe some huge box under the Christmas tree,
tempting them mercilessly.And causing
them to pick up said box, perhaps shake it a bit, and turning the guessing
before the time, into almost as much fun as the actual gift itself.

But then, we also do stocking fillers.And the thing with stocking fillers is this –
the gift must be small enough to fit into the stocking (ideally - though
occasionally, I’ve plopped a gift on the floor just underneath the stocking),
and affordable.Cause here’s the thing –
I have to fill up three kids stockings for them.

So this is my dilemma – how to find something marginally nice
costing between R5 – R50 for three kids, when you need to do at least a few
gifts in each stocking to give it some body, is rather challenging.I scour the markets before the time.Buying silly bracelets, cheap make-up, balls,
water balloons, swimming goggles, chocolates, etc.Hey, they got
lucky.Growing up, my mom was sneaky
enough to fill our Xmas Stockings with stationary for the next year at
school.Though possibly, her thinking
process was inspired.Pens, pencils,
erasers, rulers and pencil sharpeners are small enough to fit into a stocking,
and do help to give it some shape.Though there were treat items too. (Thanx Mommy!)

Food items are also always hugely popular.I tend to try and put something unusual in
it.Perhaps an odd nice sweetie or two,
they wouldn’t normally get.Still one
year, they each got a block of Mozzarella cheese – their favourite.Another year, they each got a bottle of
olives.Yet another, a tin of condensed
milk.So yes, I try to think out of the
box.

And then this year, I decided to veer off the track a
bit.In addition to giving the kids
water balloons, comics, balls, bracelets, etc.I thought I’d up my game a bit.And give them something unusual.

So I went with tooth decay.

Each of them got their very own bottle of Nutella chocolate
spread.

Much to their delight.They were charmed.They’ve kept
their jars in their rooms, and have resorted to initially dipping fingers, and
now long stemmed soda spoons, to get some chocolate gooey goodness.They’ve also proven to be rather resourceful,
exhibiting some as yet unwitnessed before culinary skills… Adding Nutella to
Hot Chocolate or Milo.Even as an Ice
Cream topping.Or better yet – straight
from the jar.

A lot can be deducted about my kids, from their approach to
their jar of Nutella.

Luke indulged in thick lashings of Nutella on fresh white
bread.Stirred into his hot
chocolate.Dribbled over Ice Cream.Self-indulgent spoiling – just for him.

Amber shares with everyone.Her numerous friends and cousins.Inviting everyone to grab a spoon.Making sarmies for all.

Cole showed his usual lack of self-restraint.No time to wait for a spoon, instead fingers
stretched to the max.He’s not a great
advertisement for the merits of delayed gratification.

Anyway, the delight my simple bottle of R28 per child has
given them, has been a joy to behold.It
really is the simple things in life.

Thursday, 1 January 2015

Oh my word!Firstly, huge big apologies for being so
scarce.I’m missing my writing
terribly.I started a new job towards
the end of September, and am finding it increasingly difficult to juggle work,
my family, my home, my Jumping Castle business, daily walks and blogging.And thus walking and blogging have taken a
bit of a backseat.And oh how I miss it!

It is amazing how fulfilling
and creative writing is.How it opens a
space in my head and truly taps into my core.Making me take stock of my life, on a daily basis.

The end of an old year and
the dawn of a new year, is also traditionally the time when others take stock
of their lives too.People reflect on
the year that has been.Some set goals
for the year to be.It is also a time to
ponder.To give thanks for the good that
was.And wave goodbye to the awful that’s
passed.

For me, 2014 was a
challenging year.I’ve taken a few
knocks along the way.Some hard.Some even harder.Others a mere blimp, yet they caused ripples
nonetheless.But there was great joy
too.

My motto has always been to
not dwell on the things and situations that have brought me sorrow, discomfort
and pain.I’d far rather embrace the
good.Rejoice in the wonder, the magic,
the best bits of life.

For me, 2014 shall always be
remembered as the year I fell majorly in love with my Grantie again.In a really big way.

We hit a few doozies in
2014.Faced a few obstacles.But we’ve grown stronger.Closer.Become more connected.Enjoyed one
another more.

I’ve realised that he will
always have my back.As I have his.Be my staunchest supporter.And that we make a really, really good team.

And thus, I’m not setting any
major goals for 2015.I just want to
come out at the end of it all.And think
to myself, that despite the many ups and downs, I’ve still got my Grantie.

And in my book that’s great.

Perhaps at the end of it all,
life is not about the experiences you’ve had.The places you’ve been.The things
you’ve accumulated.The stuff you’ve
done.

It’s about the people that
have joined you on your journey.And I’ve
clearly picked a great crew.